AB 642 became effective immediately on July 30, 2025. The bill amends existing law, which authorizes the governing body of a school district or county office of education to establish a catastrophic leave program for employees to also apply to charter schools. It also expands the qualifying reasons for which catastrophic leave may be donated and used.
AB 642 authorizes the governing body of a school district, county office of education, or charter school to establish a catastrophic leave program that permits employees to donate eligible leave credits to an employee impacted by a state of emergency. The bill defines “eligible leave credits” as vacation leave and sick leave accrued to the donating employee. The state of emergency must be proclaimed by the State Governor. The bill requires that the governing board establish rules and regulations that:
(A) Requires the impacted employee to use accrued leaves before catastrophic leave;
(B) Limits the amount of leave an employee may receive during 12 consecutive months;
(C) Verifies the impact of a state of emergency on the employee; and
(D) Makes leave donations irrevocable.
The rules and regulations may be included in a collective bargaining agreement.
(AB 642 amends Section 44043.5 of, and adds Section 44043.6 to, the Education Code.)